Seeing a psych

[valeriedl]

I saw my neuro this morning and I was telling him about some of the seizures I'm having and other things that have been going on. I've been thinking that things happened that never did and I've been having problems, probably a seizure, when I don't know if it's am or pm. He suggested that I might need to go to a psych and see what they have to say about it, maybe put me on meds also which just what I need is another pill to take!

What would the benefits of seeing a psych be? Is it helpful for seizures in general or just things that are going on in my head.

 

[resaebiunne]

I think this sums it up:

I've been thinking that things happened that never did

Does it not convey what you are trying to say?

In other words, if you are trying to tell your doctor that you think things are happening around you that actually aren't, he may be translating your symptoms as delusions which are a medically treatable aspect of psychosis among other things.

 

[valeriedl]

I had thought or imagined (which ever way you want to put it) a whole evening happened about a month ago. I wasn't sure if it was something that I dreamed or if it was something that I thought up during a seizure.

I wrote a thread about it here that describes it a little better - http://www.coping-with-epilepsy.com/forums/f23/seizure-dream-25446/

 

[masterjen]

Hi Valerie;
Reasons for a recommendation to see a psych. could be for a neuropsych. exam to figure out if medication and/or epilepsy are causing cognitive issues, to help a person deal with stress in an attempt to reduce seizures, to determine if any seizures could also be psychological, and to determine if there are reasons beyond a complex partial to account for a person "zoning out" and doing things they don't remember.
Don't fear seeing a psychologist or psychiatrist at all as it could be extremely beneficial. I would suggest asking to see someone who specializes in working with epilepsy patients.

 

[valeriedl]

I have no problems with seeing a psych, I just didn't understand how it could help with the seizures.

I just thought about it and the things that I described started happening after my last visit with my neuro, about 3 months ago. He had decreased one of my meds at that appt. The number of seizures I have a month have stayed the same and the types, simple and complex partial, too. I just started having these other things happen after pill was decreased. I wonder if that might have something to do with it?

 

[Nakamova]

I just started having these other things happen after pill was decreased. I wonder if that might have something to do with it?

If the odd symptoms are a form of seizure, then it is possible that reducing the med led to their appearance. If they aren't a form of seizure, then the neurospsych might help in diagnosing or treating them.

If possible, keep detailed notes about the odd symptoms. That info might help in determining their nature.

 

[valeriedl]

If possible, keep detailed notes about the odd symptoms. That info might help in determining their nature.

I keep a very detailed seizure journal that I make a copy I've of and give it to my neuro at each visit. I've put all of these things in it that started happening because I wasn't sure what was going on and I wanted to make sure he knew about them.

He said that they are seizures and that's when he suggested maybe seeing a psych if they keep happening or get worse.

I don't think either of us realized that they started happening after the med, Depakote, was reduced. He reduced it again today and increased my VNS so I guess I'll have to wait and see what goes on. If it keeps happening I'll bring up that it started after the med reduction and see what he has to say, if it could be related in some way.